Behavioral disorders
Emotional/behavioral disorders (E/BD) is a disability characterized by behavioral or emotional responses in school programs so different from age, cultural, or ethnic norms that they adversely affect educational performance. The inappropriate behaviors must be long-standing patterns that occur regularly and often enough as to interfere consistently with the student's own learning process. The two conceptual models that guide most educational programs are the psycho-educational model and the behavioral model. Regardless of the model that guides education, successful strategies must include (1) systematic data-based interventions, (2) continuous assessment and monitoring of progress, (3) prevision for practice of new skills, (4) treatment matched to the problem, (5) multicomponent treatment, (6) programming for transfer and maintenance, and (7) commitment to sustained intervention.
Symptoms:
- Easily annoyed or nervous;
- Often appearing angry;
- Putting blame on others;
- Refusing to follow rules or questioning authority;
- Arguing and throwing temper tantrums;
- Having difficulty handling frustration;
- Inattention;
- Hyperactivity;
- Impulsivity;
- Defiant behavior;
- Drug Use;
- Criminal Activity.
Risk factors in behavioural disorders:
1. Gender – boys are much more likely than girls to suffer from behavioural disorders. It is unclear if the cause is genetic or linked to socialisation experiences.
2. Gestation and birth – difficult pregnancies, premature birth and low birth weight may contribute in some cases to the child’s problem behaviour later in life.
3. Temperament – children who are difficult to manage, temperamental or aggressive from an early age are more likely to develop behavioural disorders later in life.
4. Family life – behavioural disorders are more likely in dysfunctional families. For example, a child is at increased risk in families where domestic violence, poverty, poor parenting skills or substance abuse are a problem.
5. Learning difficulties – problems with reading and writing are often associated with behaviour problems.
6. Intellectual disabilities – children with intellectual disabilities are twice as likely to have behavioural disorders.
7. Brain development – studies have shown that areas of the brain that control attention appear to be less active in children with ADHD.
Obi S. (2010). Behavioral Disorder. ScienceDirect. Retrieved from: http://bit.ly/3WAdipX.
Behavioral Disorders. Harbor. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/4h9Rh9N.
Behavioral disorders in children. BetterHealth Channel. Victoria State Government. Department of health. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/40uwo25.